Philadelphia Interfaith PeaceWalk Part 2

This gallery and the one that precedes it serve as a reasonably complete photographic archive of the PeaceWalk which took place on Sunday May 22, 2005. The images are presented in chronological order beginning (in Gallery 1) at the United Muslim Mosque at 15th & Christian Streets, then north on Broad Street (where this gallery begins) to Congregation Rhodeph Shalom, and then northeast to St Malachy Church at 11th & Master Streets in North Philadelphia, and finally east to the Al Aqsa Mosque at 3rd & Jefferson Streets in the Kensington section of the city.

I went on the walk in 2005 for the first time and found it so moving and healing. I am an American woman of Jewish ancestry, but no one simple religious label/identity.
I feel so bad about the hatred in our country against Muslims: it is so much like how Jews were treated in the past. I have never known/walked with Muslims before: walking this walk was so healing and strengthening for me.

We need to walk together, talk together and be human beings together: and then when we see each other fully, instead of making certain people invisible/ignoring them, we can do justice together. If only governments especially in the Middle East could walk together instead of waging war. Every step on a walk toward peace can be a prayer for a different day someday hopefully soon.

Laurie Pollack
Lansdowne, PA

Eileen Rodan

03-Jun-2005 14:39

I found last year's walk one of my deepest experiences ever. It is like bathing in a love bath and gives me hope. I was sad to be missing it by a day this year but feel happy to see the expansion of it and the increased inclusiveness. As a convert to Islam in this country I often struggle but this event makes me proud to be a Muslim and proud of all those who joined hands to make it happen. salaams to all my sisters and brothers of many faiths. love Eileen

Ayesha

01-Jun-2005 14:28

Assalamu alaikum. For days after the Peace Walk I would see images. Walking down
Broad towards the City Hall, being inside sacred places with people of all races
and religions, and I felt peaceful and grateful for such an experience. We have
so much to be grateful for. This must be what Paradise is really like. Thankyou
to everyone who helped make that Paradise here on earth. Thankyou for taking such
beautiful pictures so that this can be shared with others. All praise is truely
to Allah alone who made this state of unity exist within all human beings. May
this state be known to more and more.